Quick summary: E10 gasoline is 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol, known as alcohol carburante (fuel alcohol). According to AGN, MEM’s Acuerdo Ministerial 333-2026 (Ministerial Agreement 333-2026), published in the Diario de Centro América, set August 22, 2026 as the start of its nationwide introduction at regular-gasoline pumps; adding it to gasolina superior (premium gasoline, also called súper) remained subject to technical assessments. MEM says it does not damage engines and that cars and motorcycles do not need modifications, though its FAQ allows for minor adjustments to very old carbureted engines. Complaints go to MEM with the receipt, station address, purchase date and time, and kilometers driven afterward.

This page explains what E10 is and how to check whether it is in your tank. It uses government sources: the official e10.gob.gt website of the Ministerio de Energía y Minas (MEM, Ministry of Energy and Mines) and reports from the Agencia Guatemalteca de Noticias (AGN). For weekly prices, see the gasoline price history.

What is E10 gasoline?

QuestionAnswerSource
What is it?90% gasoline + 10% ethanol (alcohol carburante)e10.gob.gt (MEM)
What kind of ethanol?Anhydrous ethanol, at 10%e10.gob.gt FAQ
Which rule introduced it?According to AGN, MEM’s Acuerdo Ministerial 333-2026, issued under the Ley del Alcohol Carburante (Fuel Alcohol Law) and published in the Diario de Centro AméricaAGN, August 5, 2026
Which legal documents does MEM list?Its consultation documents at e10.gob.gt include Decreto Ley 17-85 (Decree-Law 17-85) and Reglamento E10 (E10 regulation)e10.gob.gt consultation documents
Who oversees it?The Dirección General de Hidrocarburos (DGH, General Directorate of Hydrocarbons) conducts oversight and inspections; the Departamento de Alcohol Carburante (Fuel Alcohol Department) checks the quality of incoming shipmentsAGN, August 5 and 22, 2026

The timeline, in order

Milestone (2026)What happenedSource
July 17, 2026The DGH had conducted 245 service-station inspections covering documentation, water content in tanks, water-control and management logs, and industrial and environmental safety measuresAGN, August 22, 2026
July 24, 20261,537 service stations had submitted tank-cleaning certificates and their water-control and management logsAGN, August 22, 2026
July 27, 2026Minister Erwin Barrios announced that the blend would initially be available only at regular-gasoline pumps from August 22, because, he said, regular is the gasoline most people useAGN, July 27, 2026
August 5, 2026AGN reported MEM’s publication of Acuerdo Ministerial 333-2026 in the Diario de Centro América: E10 in regular gasoline from August 22; premium subject to technical assessments (Article 3)AGN, August 5, 2026
August 22, 2026E10 implementation began at regular-gasoline pumps; according to the minister, other pumps could continue dispensing unblended gasolineAGN, August 22, 2026
August 25, 2026President Bernardo Arévalo said a technical working group was working toward nationwide E10 supply in approximately five days and addressing problems that had arisen during implementationAGN, August 25, 2026
September 3, 2026MEM said it had received no complaints about the quality or performance of vehicles using E10 and was still consolidating sales data to determine what percentage of regular gasoline sold was E10AGN, September 3, 2026

For a particular station, ask whether its regular-gasoline pump dispenses E10; the nationwide rollout announcement alone does not confirm what is in that station’s tank.

Does it damage engines? What MEM says

These are the answers in MEM’s FAQ at e10.gob.gt:

ConcernMEM’s answer
Can my car or motorcycle use E10?Yes, according to the official E10 FAQ: most vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, are compatible, particularly those manufactured since the mid-90s; use in older vehicles is generally suitable provided they are well maintained
Does it cause corrosion or damage engines?No: it contains 10% anhydrous ethanol, which does not corrode or damage engines
Does the vehicle need modifications?No: cars and motorcycles do not need mechanical modifications
Carbureted or fuel-injected?Most can use E10, especially models made after 2000 that have been properly maintained; very old carbureted engines could need minor adjustments
Does consumption increase?It causes no perceptible change in consumption
Does power decrease?No: it maintains normal vehicle performance
Does it absorb water?Car and motorcycle tank systems are designed to prevent moisture entering and, when closed, prevent water infiltration
What about a lawn mower or other equipment?If the equipment uses regular gasoline, it can run on E10 without modifications (MEM on X, August 3, 2026, cited by AGN)

The MEM FAQ, checked October 23, 2026, does not state E10’s octane rating or a date for premium implementation, and AGN’s August 25 report does not confirm when every station completed the rollout. If your vehicle is under warranty, consult the manufacturer’s manual; MEM lists manufacturers’ E10 compatibility letters among its consultation documents.

For drivers with imported vehicles: MEM’s FAQ says manufacturers produce models for global markets and design them to operate with standard ethanol blends such as E10. It also says most used imported vehicles come from countries where E10 is already common and have therefore used this fuel. These are MEM’s general statements; consult your vehicle’s manual as above.

Where it is sold and whether premium contains it

  • Regular: E10 implementation at regular-gasoline pumps began on August 22, 2026 (AGN, July 27 and August 22, 2026).
  • Súper: according to AGN (August 5, 2026), Article 3 of Acuerdo Ministerial 333-2026 makes its blending subject to technical assessments by the competent directorate, considering technical and economic factors. The e10.gob.gt FAQ says premium and regular gasoline will use 10% ethanol and that consumers will still be able to buy either premium or regular, without giving a date for premium.

Price

According to AGN (September 3, 2026), Minister Erwin Barrios explained that receipts may carry a note stating that 90% of the gasoline is subject to IDP, the impuesto de distribución de petróleo (petroleum distribution tax), allowing an average reduction of approximately one quetzal per gallon. The e10.gob.gt FAQ says implementation does not mean an extra cost for the end consumer. These are MEM’s statements, rather than a fixed price: weekly prices are in the gasoline price history, and refueling costs are in how much it costs to fill a tank.

How to file a complaint

According to AGN (September 3, 2026), MEM maintains email and telephone channels for reporting problems with the quality or quantity of fuel dispensed. For a complaint it asks for, among other details:

  1. The service station’s address.
  2. The receipt.
  3. The date and time of purchase.
  4. The kilometers driven after refueling.

For questions, e10.gob.gt has the Don Chema chat. Always keep your fuel receipt.

Sources